THE RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Programme saw a surge in ridership, mainly comprising B40 passengers, reaching 10.5 million movements from May 2020 to September 2023,.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil noted a substantial increase from over 1.2 million in 2020 to over 3.5 million last year.
The accumulated ridership from January to September 2023 amounted at to over 3.2 million.
“The projected ridership for the year 2023 is anticipated to be 4 million, based on the average annual increase in passenger movements since 2020.
“The majority of passengers using the RM1 flat rate programme are from the B40 group,” he said.
He was replying to Kabong assemblyman Mohd Chee Kadir who asked for the number of passengers who benefited from the bus initiative during Q&A session in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
Several bus companies are involved in the programme throughout Sarawak, including three each in Kuching and Miri, and Sibu (five).
For the record, the bus initiative is a Sarawak government subsidy implemented since May 2020 in Kuching, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri.
Jerip said the total subsidy cost for the programme from May 2020 to September 2023 amounted to RM59,289,055.00, benefiting the B40 group significantly.
In 2020, only RM5,239,410 was spent due to the implementation of movement control orders (MCOs) amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Subsidies increased to RM12,123,065 in 2021 and further to RM21,318,196.00 in 2022 when movement restrictions were eased in May 2022.
“As of September 2023, RM20,608,385 has been allocated for the programme this year,” he added.
